So the question is what's the context? Overall usage? Military service? Job title? When did job descriptions become official ratings? Likely had something to do with pay. I know early artillery weren't usually officially part of the national military but hired civilian contractors. Don't think that applied to ships though.

When I was conscripted into the British army in 1942 my rank was that of PRIVATE

When at my first training unit it was established that i had an aptitude suitable for that of a wireless operator i was sent to a Royal Artillery Training Unit and my rank changed automatically to that of GUNNER

When in 1944 my Ack Ack unit was disbanded, I was sent to a RAC Training Unit and then (automatically) became a TROOPER

So now you know !

Ron

I am a British veteran who was called up into the Forces in October 1942. I served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Egypt, Austria & Germany, firstly in the 49th Light Ack Ack and then in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars.
I was one of five brothers who served in WW2, one of whom was in the RAF and was killed over Nuremberg on the 16th of March 1945.
I am a long standing member on the ww2talk.com site.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18128947129038825503

Work, work your thoughts, and therein see a siege.
Behold the ordnance on their carriages,
With fatal mouths gaping on girded Harfleur.
Suppose th' Ambassador from the French comes back,
Tells Harry that the king doth offer him
Katherine his daughter and with her, to dowry,
Some petty and unprofitable dukedoms.
The offer likes not, and the nimble gunner
With linstock now the devilish cannon touches,
Alarum, and chambers go off

And down goes all before them. Still be kind
And eke out our performance with your mind.
Exit”

My trusty Oxford Universal Dictionary note that Gunner as a naval person “in special charge of the battery, small arms, ordnance stores, etc.” gives the year 1495 as an early use.

A “Gunner’s Daughter” was the sardonic name for the gun to which sailors were ‘married,’ i.e., lashed, preparatory for receiving punishment.

Were gunners in Shakespeare's time still civilian contractors or were they considered part of the army?

Click to expand...

The term "artillery" predates gunpowder. The Honourable Artillery Company was firtst equipped with the warbow.
The term Master Gunner dates from 1540 and was useed d for the men who took charge of guns under the command of the Master Gunner of England.

Media

Resources

Members

About US

Welcome to WWII Forums! You are at a gateway to WWII discussion, research, exploration, & analysis. We directly support the repository at WW2.ORG, and several other worthwhile projects that add to the historical record. Join in if you dare!